Adjustments to raise Avista rates in Idaho slightly

A collection of four rate adjustments will have Idaho customers of Avista Utilities paying an average of 1.5 percent more per month for electricity and 1.2 percent more for natural gas this fall, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission announced Friday. Two of the adjustments will increase rates and two will lower them, resulting in the final numbers. The adjustments are effective Aug. 1. The average residential electric customer, using about 1,000 kilowatt hours per month, will see their monthly electric bill rise by 98 cents, to $80.90, the commission said in a news release. The average gas customer who uses 65 therms per month will see their monthly bill rise by 91 cents, to $73.88.